MichaelR. "Mike" Del Monte

Michael R. Del Monte 1923 - 2011 EAST LONGMEADOW - Michael "Mike" R. Del Monte, 88, of Florida and Chicopee; passed away peacefully Wed-nesday, August 31, 2011 at Redstone Rehabilitation Center in East Longmeadow. Born August 16, 1923 in Chicopee, MA, he was a son to the late Caesar and Rose (Chechile) Del Monte. He was a veteran of WWII serving his country proudly with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Casco and USS Yakatat in the Pacific Theater. He was employed with the U.S. Postal Service for 25 years retiring in 1986. Following his retirement he moved to Florida, and resided there until he moved back to MA in 2005 where he lived at Landmark at Monastery Heights. He enjoyed fishing, traveling and was an avid Yankees fan. His greatest joy however, was spending time with his family, who made him extremely proud. He is survived by his sons Michael C. and his wife, Sandra of Westfield; Daniel J. and his wife, Patricia of Chicopee; and David A. and his wife, Maria of Westfield; his daughters Laurie Staples and her husband, Reggie of Westfield; and Lisa A. Del Monte of Chicopee. He will also be missed by his 18 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; other loving relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Mark A. Del Monte; brothers Frank, Mario, Caesar, and Joseph Del Monte; and sister Jennie Lombardi. A funeral service for Mike will be held on Friday, September 2, 2011 at 12:00pm from Colonial Forastiere Funeral Home, 985 Main St., Agawam, MA. Burial with military honors will follow in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Agawam. There will be a visiting hour from 11:00am - 12:00am at the funeral home on Friday.